Why do Cubans get lazy when they come to America?

[Check]

I don't think it's that they are lazy. I think it's more on the lines is amateur boxing isn't pro boxing. You don't get hit the same in amateur boxing, it doesn't feel the same in pro boxing, your heart is tested more, the way a fighter reacts to having no head gear and overall the amateur game is a lot less talented now. All these things factor into the difference between pro and am's. TBH, they are almost different sports.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes.

Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ******' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's.

You're right, poverty alone doesn't explain it. I'm more inclined to believe that deprivation, combined with the amateur submersion I speak of, are to blame for the Cubans' relative lack of success. I say "lack of success," because I'm not sure laziness is exactly what's amiss here. Anyway, as I've said before, I don't want to make excuses for these guys. They deserve what they earn, good or bad. I'm just searching for an explanation....

[AllEyesOpen]

My problem with Gamboa, as well as a lot of these up and comers, is that they still have an amateur mentality. They throw quick pitter patter punches just to score points but don't put heat on them.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I don't think it's that they are lazy. I think it's more on the lines is amateur boxing isn't pro boxing. You don't get hit the same in amateur boxing, it doesn't feel the same in pro boxing, your heart is tested more, the way a fighter reacts to having no head gear and overall the amateur game is a lot less talented now. All these things factor into the difference between pro and am's. TBH, they are almost different sports.

No question about it.

Most of these Cuban fighters defect at a relatively late age. Gamboa had his first pro bout at 25. His career is on the fast track, yet he turns thirty in December. Who would argue that Yuri isn't still improving as a pro? Luckily for him, his style is very suited to the professional game. Rigondeaux defected at age 27. His talent has been almost completely wasted in the amateurs. In Guillermo's case, his handlers are trying desperately to save what's left of his good years.

Most professional boxers have limited amateur experience. These Cuban Olympians have hundreds of amateur bouts. When an athlete has stayed too long in a particular system, habits become so ingrained that they're nearly impossible to completely overcome. It's human nature. These men have experienced complete success in their world. Now, after years of honing what they needed for success, they're being asked to change. Easier said than done.

[Famoso Matador]

I think they loose focus and become complacent.
It would be ironic if they left Cuba to make money off their boxing talent, only to come to the USA have the talent erode because of the change in lifestyle.

The thing i don't like about a lot of Cuban fighters is how full of them selves they are.

[CubanGuyNYC]

My problem with Gamboa, as well as a lot of these up and comers, is that they still have an amateur mentality. They throw quick pitter patter punches just to score points but don't put heat on them.

I agree with your basic idea. But I don't think what you say applies to Gamboa. In fact, I think the Cuban most suited to the pros is Yuriorkis. Gamboa throws his punches with bad intentions. As he's said himself, he goes for the KO, but won't risk a loss going for it. Rigondeaux has fought with the amateur mentality in the past, but he destroyed Willie Casey in one round in his last fight. Looks like Guillermo is quickly learning what it takes for success at the pro level.

[Khmelnytsky]

No question about it.

Most of these Cuban fighters defect at a relatively late age. Gamboa had his first pro bout at 25. His career is on the fast track, yet he turns thirty in December. Who would argue that Yuri isn't still improving as a pro? Luckily for him, his style is very suited to the professional game. Rigondeaux defected at age 27. His talent has been almost completely wasted in the amateurs. In Guillermo's case, his handlers are trying desperately to save what's left of his good years.

Most professional boxers have limited amateur experience. These Cuban Olympians have hundreds of amateur bouts. When an athlete has stayed too long in a particular system, habits become so ingrained that they're nearly impossible to completely overcome. It's human nature. These men have experienced complete success in their world. Now, after years of honing what they needed for success, they're being asked to change. Easier said than done.

I half agree and half disagree with you. I mentioned Eastern Europe especially due to the Amateur similarities. I disagree because it isn't the fact that they have vast amateur experience, it's the fact that they have vast amateur experience with a non pro, pitty pat amateur style. You don't have to have that style to be a top amateur and alot of top amateurs don't.

Look at pros like Golovkin, Korobov, Bute, Jirov, Tszyu, Chakhkiev, Adamek who were all extremely accomplished and experienced amateurs but have 'pro' styles. Or current amateurs who are at the top of their weighclass like Lomachenko, Usyk, Mekhontsev, Beterbiev, etc. Cubans amateurs are more likely to fight in a saftey first style.

Guys like Tszyu, Korobov, Lomachenko are exceptionally gifted in terms of their athleticism in addition to their technical skills yet are all more than willing, even thrive, on actually fighting rather on soley relying on their natural abilties.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I think they loose focus and become complacent.
It would be ironic if they left Cuba to make money off their boxing talent, only to come to the USA have the talent erode because of the change in lifestyle.

The thing i don't like about a lot of Cuban fighters is how full of them selves they are.

I hate to say it, but I see the same thing. I cringe. Some of these men seem to think, "These guys are beneath me. They're not in my league. They couldn't hold my jock in the amateurs. I was just being held back because of the dictatorship in my country. Now I'm going to take what rightfully belongs to me." *NEWS FLASH*: Nothing belongs to you until you earn it. That goes for everyone. And, even when you've earned it, it doesn't give you license to be arrogant.

[joe strong]

Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes.

Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ******' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's.

didnt russian guys have to do military service?

[CubanGuyNYC]

I half agree and half disagree with you. I mentioned Eastern Europe especially due to the Amateur similarities. I disagree because it isn't the fact that they have vast amateur experience, it's the fact that they have vast amateur experience with a non pro, pitty pat amateur style. You don't have to have that style to be a top amateur and alot of top amateurs don't.

Look at pros like Golovkin, Korobov, Bute, Jirov, Tszyu, Chakhkiev, Adamek who were all extremely accomplished and experienced amateurs but have 'pro' styles. Or current amateurs who are at the top of their weighclass like Lomachenko, Usyk, Mekhontsev, Beterbiev, etc. Cubans amateurs are more likely to fight in a saftey first style.

Guys like Tszyu, Korobov, Lomachenko are exceptionally gifted in terms of their athleticism in addition to their technical skills yet are all more than willing, even thrive, on actually fighting rather on soley relying on their natural gifts.

Agreed. The Cuban amateur style is much more geared to winning medals. It's all about points. That approach just doesn't work in the pros, unless you're preternaturally gifted like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Even Floyd is more inclined to engage than some of these Cubans.) It only makes the transition to pro more difficult.

I'm not familiar with the careers of many of the men you mention. Did many of them start their pro careers in their mid to late twenties, even thirties?